Accessible Canada Act Website Compliance: Process, Providers & Prices 2026

• ACA applies to all federally regulated organizations (see article references below)
• Requires an accessibility plan, progress reports, and feedback process
• Penalties can reach $250,000 per violation (ACA, s.94)
• Providers offer audits, documentation, and support—filing is always the organization's duty
• Prices and included services differ; verify scope and exclusions before choosing

Updated 31 October 2026 · 10 sources checked

Providers compared

Prices as published on each provider's website on 31 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.

What the Accessible Canada Act Requires (with Article References)

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) establishes a legal framework for accessibility across federally regulated organizations in Canada. This includes federal departments, agencies, Crown corporations, and certain private sector entities under federal jurisdiction (ACA s.7). The ACA's requirements are designed to ensure that barriers to accessibility are identified, removed, and prevented in all aspects of an organization’s operations, including digital services and websites.

• Accessibility Plan (s.11): Organizations must prepare and publish a plan describing how they identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility. The plan must be updated and republished regularly, and must be made available to the public in accessible formats upon request.
• Progress Reports (s.12): Organizations are required to publish progress reports detailing the measures taken to implement their accessibility plan and the results achieved. These reports must be updated and published according to the ACA’s schedule.
• Feedback Process (s.13): A process must be established and publicized to allow individuals to provide feedback on accessibility barriers and the organization’s plans and progress. Organizations must respond to feedback and document actions taken.
• Retention of Records (s.15): All documents related to accessibility plans and progress reports must be retained for at least five years.
• Penalties (s.94): Non-compliance can result in administrative monetary penalties up to $250,000 per violation. Each day a violation continues is considered a separate violation, increasing potential exposure.
• Exemptions (s.65-67): The Minister may grant exemptions to certain entities or classes of entities, but these are rare and must be formally issued.

In summary, the ACA mandates continuous, documented efforts to improve accessibility, with a strong emphasis on transparency and public accountability. Organizations must be proactive, not just reactive, in their compliance efforts.

How to Choose a Provider: What the Price Really Includes

Choosing the right provider for ACA website compliance is crucial, as offerings and pricing structures vary widely. Some providers focus on audits and documentation, while others offer remediation, training, or ongoing monitoring. The table below summarizes what is included for each provider, based on publicly available information:

AccessibilityStatement.org offers a transparent annual fee (from 890 CAD) that covers the audit, signed record, and policy/plan templates, with no extra charges for page count or retesting. Most other providers require a custom quote, and may charge separately for remediation, training, or document drafting. Always request a detailed proposal outlining what is included, what is not, and what may incur additional costs.

When evaluating providers, consider:

• Whether the provider’s documentation is suitable for ACA reporting and retention requirements
• If remediation support is included or requires a separate contract
• Whether training or ongoing monitoring is available if your organization needs it
• The provider’s experience with Canadian and federal accessibility standards

Ultimately, the best provider is one whose deliverables match your legal obligations and internal capabilities.

Hidden Costs and Exclusions: What to Watch For

Hidden costs and exclusions can significantly affect the total price and effectiveness of your ACA compliance project. Here’s what to look out for, based on available data:

• Remediation Fees: Many providers charge separately for fixing accessibility issues identified in an audit. AccessibilityStatement.org does not include remediation, while others may bundle or quote it as an extra.
• Per-Page or Per-Retest Charges: Some providers charge by the number of website pages or for each retest. AccessibilityStatement.org charges a flat annual fee, with no per-page or per-retest costs.
• Policy and Plan Drafting: Not all providers supply templates or assistance for the accessibility plan and policy documents required by the ACA. Confirm if this is included or available as an add-on.
• Feedback Process Implementation: The ACA requires a feedback mechanism, but not all providers help set this up. AccessibilityStatement.org offers guidance; others may charge extra or leave it to the client.
• Ongoing Monitoring and Support: Ongoing accessibility monitoring, staff training, and support are often excluded or available only at extra cost. If your organization needs these, check provider offerings carefully.
• Liability and Certification: No provider can file your ACA plan or report for you, nor can any private company issue a government certification. The legal responsibility for compliance always remains with your organization.

Before signing any contract, request a full breakdown of what is included, what is excluded, and any potential extra fees. This will help avoid surprises and ensure that your compliance process is both cost-effective and legally robust.

How the Appointment and Compliance Process Works: Step by Step

Achieving ACA website compliance is a structured process involving several steps. Here’s a practical guide based on legal requirements and provider offerings:

1. Confirm Federal Jurisdiction: Verify that your organization is federally regulated and subject to the ACA. This includes federal agencies, Crown corporations, and private sector entities under federal regulation.
2. Assess Internal Readiness: Gather existing accessibility documentation, policies, and any previous audits. Identify gaps in your current practices.
3. Contact Providers: Reach out to multiple providers for quotes and a clear scope of work. Ask about included services, documentation, and support for ACA-specific requirements.
4. Schedule an Audit: Arrange for a WCAG audit of your website and digital content. AccessibilityStatement.org tests to WCAG 2.2 AA, which exceeds the ACA’s minimum requirement (WCAG 2.0 AA).
5. Develop Accessibility Plan: Using audit results and provider templates (if available), draft your accessibility plan. This must describe how you identify, remove, and prevent barriers.
6. Establish a Feedback Process: Set up a publicized process for receiving and documenting feedback on accessibility barriers. Providers may offer guidance or templates.
7. Remediate Barriers: Implement changes to address accessibility issues. If remediation is not included in your provider’s package, arrange for it separately.
8. Publish and Retain Documentation: Publish your accessibility plan and progress reports as required. Retain all related documents for at least five years.
9. Assign Ongoing Responsibility: Designate staff to monitor compliance, respond to feedback, and update documentation as needed.

Checklist for Today:

1. Confirm your organization’s federal status and obligations.
2. Collect all existing accessibility documentation.
3. Contact at least three providers for detailed proposals.
4. Schedule a WCAG audit and review the scope of work.
5. Draft or update your accessibility plan and feedback process.
6. Assign responsibility for ongoing compliance and record retention.

Following these steps ensures a clear, defensible path to ACA compliance and reduces the risk of penalties or complaints.

Decision Matrix: Who Needs What (Company Size, Jurisdiction, Business Model)

Not every organization needs the same level of ACA compliance. Use this matrix to determine your obligations:

In summary: ACA applies to federally regulated organizations and public sector bodies. Ontario’s AODA applies to Ontario-based organizations with 20+ employees. Marketplace sellers and foreign businesses with no Canadian presence are generally not covered unless required by contract.

What Providers Usually Do Not Say: Exclusions, Notice Periods, and Liability

Many accessibility service providers emphasize audits and documentation but may not disclose important exclusions and limitations. Here’s what to clarify before engaging any provider:

• Filing Responsibility: No provider can file your ACA accessibility plan or progress report for you. This legal duty always remains with the organization itself.
• Government Certification: The ACA does not offer official certification, and no private company can issue a government-endorsed certificate. Providers may offer a signed record or report, but this is not a substitute for compliance.
• Remediation Exclusions: Many providers only identify issues but do not fix them. AccessibilityStatement.org, for example, does not include remediation in its package.
• Notice Periods: Scheduling audits or remediation may take time. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute compliance gaps, especially near reporting deadlines.
• Policy and Training: Not all providers offer policy drafting or staff training. These are essential for compliance but may require additional contracts or internal resources.
• Liability Limits: Providers generally limit their liability for errors or omissions in their reports. The organization remains responsible for the accuracy and completeness of filings.
• Ongoing Support: Continuous monitoring, updates, and support are rarely included unless specified. Confirm if you need these services and what they cost.

Always request written confirmation of what is included, what is excluded, and any liability limitations. This ensures you understand your ongoing responsibilities and reduces the risk of non-compliance.

Realistic Scenarios: What Applies and How to Comply

Understanding how the ACA applies in real-world situations helps organizations avoid confusion and costly mistakes. Here are three scenarios based on the law and provider offerings:

• US SaaS Company Serving Canadian Federal Agencies: If your software is used by federal agencies, you may be contractually required to provide ACA-compliant documentation and evidence of accessibility. The simplest route is to commission a WCAG audit (preferably WCAG 2.2 AA), prepare a public feedback process, and publish an accessibility plan and progress reports. Providers like AccessibilityStatement.org can supply the audit and documentation, but your organization must file and maintain records.
• Chinese Amazon Seller with No Canadian Staff: If you sell only through Amazon, Etsy, or eBay and have no employees or offices in Canada, the ACA does not apply. No accessibility plan or reporting is required unless you enter into contracts with federal entities or establish a Canadian presence.
• UK Online Shop with Ontario Staff: If your business employs 20 or more people in Ontario, you are subject to Ontario’s AODA, not the ACA. You must file an AODA compliance report, ensure your website meets WCAG 2.0 AA, and maintain required policies and training records. AccessibilityStatement.org offers a bundled service for this scenario.

In all cases, the legal duty to file and maintain compliance rests with the organization. Providers can supply evidence and guidance but cannot assume legal responsibility or file reports on your behalf.